Movie pirates cast their net

One in four internet users has illegally downloaded a movie, and even more troubling for Hollywood is that people are attending, buying and renting movies less often.

A survey of 3600 internet users in eight countries showed 17 per cent of those downloading movies were buying movie tickets less often and 26 per cent were buying or renting movies less frequently.

"The nature of movie piracy has all the characteristics of a growing global epidemic," said John Malcolm, director of anti-piracy operations for the Motion Picture Association of America. "We are intent on increasing the understanding about the serious consequences of engaging in this illegal activity."

In the study of net users - in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Japan, Britain and the US - 56 per cent said they expected to continue to download movies and 17 per cent who do not download movies said they expected to do so within the next year.

The MPAA, which estimates losses due to piracy at $US3.5 billion ($4.8 billion) a year, is hoping education will help change attitudes to piracy.